Exercising device with signaling mechanism

ABSTRACT

An exerciser worn on a garment or other article of apparel such as a belt adapted to encircle the wearer about the waist or hips for use in performing isometric exercises therewith such that an audible tone or signal is produced by the exerciser when a preselected strain on the garment is sensed thus alerting the wearer to restore the required isometric muscle contraction in the selected exercising region.

United States Patent Kropf Feb. 15,1972

1541 EXERCISING DEVICE WITH SIGNALING MECHANISM [72] Inventor: Daniel T.Kropi, 949 N. 13th St., Apt. 81, Milwaukee, Wis. 53233 [22] Filed: May8, 1969 21 Appl. No.: 822,994

[52] US. Cl. ..272/57 R, 272/83 A, 272/DIG. 4, 272/DIG. 5, 128/2 R,2/312 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63b [58] Field of Search ..272/83 R, 82, 80, 79,67, 57 R, 272/DIG. 5, DIG. 4; 340/279; 200/52 BA; 128/21,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,307,456 6/1919 Prahar..200/52 BA 2,681,955 6/1954 Davis ..340/279 X 3,419,732 12/1968 Lane..272/82 UX 3,443,809 5/1969 Montanez ..272/67 FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 1,036,238 7/ 1966 Great Britain ..128/2 PrimaryExaminer-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. BrowneA!t0rney-Watts, Hoffmann, Fisher & Heinke {57] ABSTRACT An exerciserworn on a garment or other article of apparel such as a belt adapted toencircle the wearer about the waist or hips for use in performingisometric exercises therewith such that an audible tone or signal isproduced by the exerciser when a preselected strain on the garment issensed thus alerting the wearer to restore the required isometric musclecontraction in the selected exercising region.

5 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures EXERCISING DEVICE WITH SIGNALING MECHANISMBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention pertains to the art ofphysiotherapy generally and will be described herein with particularreference to performing isometric exercises defined herein as thoseexercises carried out under substantially static conditions as opposedto moving or lifting a weight, however, it will be appreciated that theinvention has other applications in such fields as breathing correction,posture improvement and figure improving or reducing.

l. Field of the Invention The invention provides an exerciser which maytake the form of a small gauge worn on the outer garments permitting thewearer to isometrically exercise groups of muscles in a prescribedmanner by making him consciously aware of the strain on such garments asa condition of isometric muscle contraction during exercises performedwhile carrying on his normal activities.

2. Description of the Prior Art Various reducing, figure-improvingdevices or so-called beauty aids are known which comprise a belt or apad strapped in place against the abdomen, thigh or hip region wherebetter muscle tone or figure improvement is desired. These devicespurport to reduce excess weight without effort or at least consciousexpenditure of energy on the part of the wearer. However. no knownexercising device can be effective for the purpose intended withabsolutely no effort being expended by the person seeking the benefitsof the exercise.

Moreover, certain of these so-called effortless exercisers come equippedwith a separate control console having a power cord which has to beplugged into an electrical outlet that prevents the wearer from movingfreely about.

Known reducing belts also have the further disadvantages of not beingsuitable for wear under outer garments and being physicallyuncomfortable if worn for any extended period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides an exercising devicecomprising a signal generator actuated by a tension mechanism connectedto an article of apparel so as to gauge the strain therein caused by acontraction or relaxation of a muscle region subtended by the articlesuch as a belt surrounding the wearers waist whereby a signal isproduced reminding the wearer of a change in the state of voluntarymuscle control in the exercise region.

The tension mechanism comprises a movable electrical contact yieldablybiased in a direction to normally deenergize the signal generator suchthat the force transmitted by the article or garment acts in oppositionof the biasing force to close the electrical contact causing an outputof the signal generator, the wearer being reminded thereby to restorethe degree of voluntary muscle control required by the particularexercise which ends the signal.

More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, thetension mechanism comprises a rotatable conductive, tubular sleeve formaking electrical contact with the signal generator. A belt is woundupon the tubular sleeve and is adjusted to a girth snugly circumscribingthe exercise region at the desired state of muscle contraction. A coiledspring within the tubular sleeve resists rotation of the sleeve in adirection which would enlarge the girth of the belt and a switch isprovided to select either silent or reminder mode operation.

In another form of the invention, a pair of relatively slidable,conductive interleaved elements is provided, one of which is movable inresponse to changes in tension in a belt so as to make electricalcontact with the other when a certain belt tension is exceeded.

The present invention has as one of its objects the provision of anexerciser which aids the wearer in practicing isometric exercises ofmuscles or groups of muscles which can be strengthened by thisexercising technique.

Unlike certain prior art devices, the invention requires someexpenditure of effort ranging from a minimum to some maximum higherlevel consistent with the capabilities of the wearer, the effort beingthat to maintain the muscles in a state of tension or isometric stressconsistent with a predetermined condition.

Among the advantages of the invention is to permit the wearer toexercise muscles or groups of muscles while carrying on his normalactivities. There is no need for power cords or separate electricalapparatus requiring the exercises to be performed in a specifiedlocation.

The invention is completely portable and can be worn without discomfortto the wearer underneath the outer garments so as not to come to theattention of others and in certain forms may be disguised as an item ofjewelry or the like worn on the outer garments.

By adjusting the gauge the wearer can selectively perform a variety ofphysiotherapeutic exercises including posture correction, improvement inbreathing habits, or as an aid to reducing certain areas of the body andfor general figure improvement.

A further advantage of the invention is that the exercise device mayinclude a signal generator in the form of a small transistormultivibrator circuit producing either an audible tone through asuitable transducer such as a small earphone or the output of themultivibrator circuit may be converted into an electrical pulsationsensed directly by the wearer.

An additional advantage of the invention where a belt encircling thewearer is used is the provision of a slack takeup device in the beltestablishing a fixed girth in one position and which can be momentarilyreleased to increase the belt girth and take all tension off of thetension mechanism should the wearer desire to refrain from exercisingunder certain conditions such as when changing from a standing to aprolonged sitting position.

These and other objects and advantages will be more apparent byreferring to the following detailed description and illustrations ofpreferred embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments chosen to illustrate theinvention as shown in the various views described hereinafter are notintended to limit the scope of the invention as described in the claimsappended hereto and merely are illustrative of preferred forms which theinvention may take without necessarily showing all modes or forms, whichin a broader sense, will be considered equivalents hereof.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show respectively plan and side views of the preferredform of the invention providing a signal generator having a beltretractably mounted at one end thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the belt shown in FIG. 1 with the signalgenerator case partially broken away to show the tension mechanism;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A3A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a side view showing the signal generator and switch thereforin the reminder mode or ON position;

FIG. 3C is an isometric projection showing the arrangement of parts inthe tension mechanism;

FIG. 3D is an exploded view of the manual switch showing the assembly ofthe conductive portions thereof;

FIGS. 4 and 4A show a modification of the invention in which the signalgenerator includes a different form of tension mechanism including apair of slidable interleaved contacts;

FIG. 4B is an isometric projection showing the tension mechanism of thesignal generator of FIGS. 4, 4A;

FIG. 5A is an electrical circuit diagram depicting an electrical circuitwhich may be employed with the preferred embodiment of the invention asillustrated in FIGS. l-3D; and

FIG. 5B is an electrical circuit diagram illustrating a circuit whichmay be used for the modification of the invention shown in FIGS. 44B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2,the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in the form includinga belt having a buckle 12 secured by eyelets 13 when encircling thewearer about the exercise region such as the waist, although it will bereadily apparent from the description hereinafter that rather than abelt, other holding means may be used such as a strap or an elasticband; and in other instances the invention may take different formsentirely such as an article of jewelry or of apparel or it may be sewndirectly into the waistline of a pair of trousers, for example.

In accordance with the invention, a signal generator G is carried by thebelt 10 (FIGS. 3, 3A). A tension mechanism 15 is housed in a compartment16 ofa generator case 17 having a bottom half 18 and a removable cover19. The portion of the belt 10 having the eyelets 13 is secured at 20 tothe bottom half 18 and the buckle portion is received in a slot 22 inthe end wall and coiled upon a conductive tubular sleeve 24 situated inthe compartment 16. The sleeve 24 is rotatably journaled at one end in aconductive plate 25 and at the opposite end projects through a partition26 and terminates in a forked end formed by a transverse slot 28.

Referring to FIG. 3C, the relative parts of the tension mechanism 15 areshown separate from the case 17. A coil spring 30 is received in thesleeve 24 and is fixed at one end 32 so as to rotate with thesleeve andat the other end is provided with a hook 33 which engages a ratchetmechanism 35 for varying the tension of the spring 30. The ratchetmechanism 35 includes an annulus 36 fixed to the side of the case 17having dogs 37 on the upper surface which engage the teeth 38 of a knob39 which carries a hook 40 extending through the center of the annulus36 for engaging the hook 33 on the end of the spring 30 in a fashion toprevent the spring 30 from rotating with the sleeve 24 when unwinding orretracting the belt 10. Upon rotating the knob 39 in the directionindicated by the arrow in FIG. 3C, the spring 30 is tightened toincrease its tension. A manual switch 42 is rotatably mounted at 43 onthe case 17 and, as shown in FIG. 3D includes an L-shaped part 44 whichmay be made of plastic or other material providing a pair ofnonconductive teeth 45, 46 projecting inwardly at right angles thereto.The part 44 may, for example, be a molded plastic part with which theteeth 45, 46 are integrally formed. A pair of conductive metal plates47, 48 are assembled on opposite sides of the horizontal portion of thepart 44, each plate having a tab 46' extending at right angles theretowhich, upon assembly with the lever 44, form conductive facing surfaceson the outer and inner surfaces respectively of the teeth 45, 46 butleaving the opposite sides ofthe teeth nonconductive. An arcuate slot 50(FIG. 3B) is formed in the sidewall of the case 17 providing an openingfor the teeth 45, 46 which extend inwardly in interlocking fashion withthe slot 28 of the sleeve 24. As shown best in FIG. 3C, the switch 42has two positions, the dot-dash line position depicting the remindermode or ON position, and the solid line position showing the silent modeor OFF position. In the reminder mode, the switch 42 is rotatedrearwardly so that the teeth 45, 46 are raised and lie in the path ofrotation of the forked end of the sleeve 24. When the switch 42 isrotated forwardly for silent mode operation, the tooth 45 is moved intoalignment with the sleeve axis and the tooth 46 is moved through theslot 28 to a position below the sleeve so that neither tooth caninterfere with rotation of the sleeve 24.

Thus, in the silent mode position of the switch 42, the portion of thebelt 10 having the buckle 12 can be extended or retracted causing thesleeve 24 to oscillate freely. If the spring 30 is pretensioned by meansof the ratchet 35, then, of course, the force required to pull the beltis increased by a proportionate amount. Thus, in the silent mode, thebelt 10 may be worn without the wearer being conscious of the fact thatthe belt girth is varying continuously. In this condition, there is noexercise being performed and the invention is worn as any other articleof apparel without discomfort to the wearer or drawing attention to thefact that it is being worn. This is an important feature of theinvention.

In the reminder mode position of the switch 42 (FIG. 3B and the dot-dashline position in FIG. 3C), the sleeve 42 is prevented from retractingthe belt by engagement with the nonconductive surfaces of the teeth 45,46 and the circuit of the signal generator remains open so long as theforked end of the sleeve engages only the nonconductive surfaces of theteeth 45, 46. The spring 30 maintains this retracted position after thebelt has been extended to a position establishing the belt girth desiredfor the particular exercise to be performed.

It is important to note, however, that the sleeve 24 may still rotate alimited distance in the opposite direction tending to increase the beltgirth. This limited distance is equal to the width of a slot 28 and, inaccordance with the invention, gauges the amount of increase in beltgirth allowed for the particular exercise. Such limited rotation of thesleeve will only occur when there is a pull on the belt sufficient toovercome the force of spring 30 caused, for example, by the fact thatthe wearer has relaxed the muscles being exercised momentarily. Shouldthis occur, the forked end portion of the sleeve will be rotated intoengagement with the conductive faces of the teeth 45, 46 closing thecircuit to the signal generator which causes a reminder signal to begiven. Thus the wearer is alerted to restore the isometric exercise,correct the posture, breathing or whatever so as to bring about areduction in the tension on the belt thereby permitting the sleeve 24 torotate back to the retracted position interrupting the signal. Thesleeve remains in this position so long as the exercise is beingperformed properly.

The case 17 also provides a compartment 50 for housing an electricalcircuit 52 and battery 54 of a battery-operated tone circuit of a typecapable of producing an audible tone in an earphone which may beconnected by means of jacks (not shown) to the case 17; or aconventional multivibrator buzzer circuit might be used to produce anaudible tone without the necessity of earphones. The particular tonecircuit shown forms no part of the present invention and, by way ofexample only, a circuit 52 is shown in FIG. 5A wherein the battery 54 isconnected through a condenser 56 and resistor 57 to a bistable breakdownsemiconductor device 58 to intermittently provide a conductive paththrough a transistor 59 to energize an earphone 60. When the switch 42is closed the transistor 59 will emit an interrupted pulse as determinedby the breakdown frequency of the semiconductor 58 whenever the contacts45, 46 are closed by rotation of the sleeve 24 to the reminder modeposition.

Alternatively, a mechanical vibrator circuit of the type shown in FIG.58 may be used in which a battery 54 drives a small multivibrator V, theoutput of which may be connected to a transformer T, connected to asensor 5 which may be exposed on the back side of the case 17 (notshown) to impart an electrical sensation to the wearer as a remindersignal instead of an audible tone.

The circuit 58 is described hereinafter for use in a modification of theinvention shown in FIGS. 4, 4A, 48 although it will be appreciated thatit is equally applicable to the preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 4, 4A and 48, a modification of the invention isshown in which a belt 10 is fastened onto a loop L which is connected toa U-shaped contact 63 slidably interleaved with a U-shaped contact 65,each being mutually insulated by insulation strips 64 except for theterminals 66, 67 which are spaced from the bottom of the U-shapedportions of each contact 63, 64. An elastic band 68 encircles thecontacts 63, 64 so as to hold the terminals 66, 67 spaced out of contacta predetermined gauging distance when the exercise is being performedproperly. If the tension increases such as due to a relaxation of musclecontrol, the contact 63 slides relative to contact 65 and the terminals66, 67 touch the bottom of the U-shaped portions closing the circuit(FIG. 58) so as to produce a reminder signal alerting the wearer of thefact that the isometric exercise is not being properly performed.

Inasmuch as this modification includes no manual switch, such as switch42 in the preferred embodiment of the invention, a silent mode operationmay be provided by means ofa snap-out pleat 75 (FIGS. 4, 4A) tointroduce slack in the belt when no exercises are being performed. Thepleat 75 includes a ring 76 sewn into the belt which is folded back uponitself and held by a snap fastener 77. The fastener 77 can be unfastenedletting the pleat unfold to introduce slack in the belt thus disablingthe signal generator should the wearer not wish to exercise momentarilysuch as when changing from a standing to a prolonged sitting position.

Thus the invention provides an exercising device and method ofexercising therewith in which a tension mechanism yieldably gaugesmuscle reaction to a prescribed exercise program alerting the personperforming the exercises whenever a deviation occurs beyond thatpermitted by the program.

Modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which it pertains which modifications are to be regarded asreasonable equivalents thereof and are intended to be covered by theappended claims except insofar as limited by the prior art.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device for use in gauging muscle reaction to aprescribed exercise program comprising a. a rotatable tubular sleeve,

b. a linear tension member fixedly attached to said sleeve, said sleeverotating as said member is extended or retracted in response to musclereaction,

c. a movable element positioned axially of and adjacent to the sleeveand having electrical conductive and nonconductive portions engageableby the sleeve,

d. an electrical conductive portion of the sleeve, said portionelectrical conductive being rotated with the sleeve in one directioninto engagement with said nonconductive portion of said movable memberwhile an exercise program is being followed in a prescribed manner androtatable in an opposite direction to bring said electrical conductiveportion into engagement with the conductive portion of the movableelement when a program is not being followed,

e. resilient means normally holding the sleeve rotated so that theelectrically conductive portion is in engagement with the nonconductiveportion of said movable member, and

f. signal means energized by the engagement ofsaid conductive portionsproducing a reminder signal alerting to the fact that an exerciseprogram is not being followed.

2. An exercising device according to claim 1 where the resilient meansis a coiled spring received in said tubular sleeve and a ratchet meansis provided to vary the tension in said spring and thereby vary anexercise program also.

3. An exercising device according to claim 2 wherein the sleeve has atransverse slot cut in one end thereof, the sides of which engagealternatively the conductive or nonconductive portions of said movableelement in response to extension or retraction of the linear tensionmember.

4. An exercising device according to claim 3 wherein said movableelement is movable to select between either silent or reminder modeoperation, the element being movable out of the path of rotation of thesleeve for silent mode operation when no exercise program is to beperformed.

5. An exercising device for use in gauging muscle reaction to aprescribed exercise program comprising a. a pair of electricallyconductive elements spaced a limited distance apart, one being yieldablymounted for movement relative to the other in response to musclereaction deviating from an exercise program, said elements beingU-shaped parts each insulated from the other except at their terminalends and along the inner surface of the curved portion of the U-shapedportion of each part, said parts being interleaved with each other sothat the inner end of one element is spaced a prescribed distance fromthe U-shaped portion of the other element to form electrical contacts,b. resilient means biasing said elements apart so that said electricalcontacts are disengaged when the exercise program is being followed, andc. signal means energized by the closing of said electrical contactsproducing a reminder signal alerting a user to the fact that an exerciseprogram is not being followed.

1. An exercising device for use in gauging muscle reaction to aprescribed exercise program comprising a. a rotatable tubular sleeve, b.a linear tension member fixedly attached to said sleeve, said sleeverotating as said member is extended or retracted in response to musclereaction, c. a movable element positioned axially of and adjacent to thesleeve and having electrical conductive and nonconductive portionsengageable by the sleeve, d. an electrical conductive portion of thesleeve, said portion electrical conductive being rotated with the sleevein one direction into engagement with said nonconductive portion of saidmovable member while an exercise program is being followed in aprescribed manner and rotatable in an opposite direction to bring saidelectrical conductive portion into engagement with the conductiveportion of the movable element when a program is not being followed, e.resilient means normally holding the sleeve rotated so that theelectrically conductive portion is in engagement with the nonconductiveportion of said movable member, and f. signal means energized by theengagement of said conductive portions producing a reminder signalalerting to the fact that an exercise program is not being followed. 2.An exercising device According to claim 1 where the resilient means is acoiled spring received in said tubular sleeve and a ratchet means isprovided to vary the tension in said spring and thereby vary an exerciseprogram also.
 3. An exercising device according to claim 2 wherein thesleeve has a transverse slot cut in one end thereof, the sides of whichengage alternatively the conductive or nonconductive portions of saidmovable element in response to extension or retraction of the lineartension member.
 4. An exercising device according to claim 3 whereinsaid movable element is movable to select between either silent orreminder mode operation, the element being movable out of the path ofrotation of the sleeve for silent mode operation when no exerciseprogram is to be performed.
 5. An exercising device for use in gaugingmuscle reaction to a prescribed exercise program comprising a. a pair ofelectrically conductive elements spaced a limited distance apart, onebeing yieldably mounted for movement relative to the other in responseto muscle reaction deviating from an exercise program, said elementsbeing U-shaped parts each insulated from the other except at theirterminal ends and along the inner surface of the curved portion of theU-shaped portion of each part, said parts being interleaved with eachother so that the inner end of one element is spaced a prescribeddistance from the U-shaped portion of the other element to formelectrical contacts, b. resilient means biasing said elements apart sothat said electrical contacts are disengaged when the exercise programis being followed, and c. signal means energized by the closing of saidelectrical contacts producing a reminder signal alerting a user to thefact that an exercise program is not being followed.